NHL: Ducks entertain Canadiens while on verge of Pacific Division lead

The Anaheim Ducks have been one of the biggest surprises of the 2025-26 NHL season. The rebuilding California squad has spent much of the season in a playoff position and, at times, even held the top spot in the Pacific Division.

They have a chance to reclaim that position on Friday when they host the Montreal Canadiens.

The Ducks have been rolling since ending a nine-game losing streak on Jan. 13. They followed it up with seven straight wins and have gone 13-3-0 in their last 16 games. That performance has pulled them within one point of the division-leading Vegas Golden Knights, with one game in hand. Vegas also plays Friday, hosting the Minnesota Wild.

“I think we're really proud of where we are,” said Ducks forward Mason McTavish. “It’s taken a long time to get here. We just have to keep it going. It’s an exciting time to be in this locker room, for sure.”

Anaheim comes off a 5-1 victory over the New York Islanders on Tuesday. Cutter Gauthier continued his breakout season with two goals in the win, raising his season total to 31—well past his rookie mark of 20 from last year. He has 55 points in 60 games, 11 more than last season’s total in 82 games, and is one assist away from surpassing last year’s 24 assists.

“The main thing with my offense is getting pucks to the net and creating opportunities, whether they go in or not,” Gauthier said. “Recently, they’ve been going in, which is nice.”

The 22-year-old, traded to Anaheim from the Philadelphia Flyers just over two years ago, leads the team in goals and points.

Montreal, meanwhile, is looking to get back on track after a 7-5 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday. Trailing 5-2 early in the third period, the Canadiens scored three times in less than six minutes, including twice in 18 seconds, to tie the game. However, a late penalty allowed the Sharks to regain the lead on the power play, sealing the win with an empty-net goal in the final seconds.

“It’s a fine line between winning and losing in this game,” Montreal coach Martin St. Louis said. “We have the ability to dominate and come back in games, but sometimes we shoot ourselves in the foot and get what we deserve.”

The loss ended the Canadiens’ seven-game point streak, during which they went 5-0-2. Since the NHL schedule resumed, they are 1-1-1.

In search of a spark, St. Louis reunited winger Juraj Slafkovsky with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield on the top line during Thursday’s practice. Slafkovsky has struggled lately, scoring just two goals in his past 11 games.

“We wanted to start the trip off on a good note, and there are positives we can take from the game,” said forward Josh Anderson. “At the same time, there are things we need to continue to work on.”

-Field Level Media/Reuters